• Big Trees Armstrong Woods State Reserve, Guerneville, contains over 600 acres of old-growth redwoods, the tallest of which is over 300ft. Theres plenty of hiking options, including a flat, accessible nature trail that winds through the heart of the grove. The park is about 10 minutes east of our house. Theres free parking if you turn right into the visitor's center parking lot just before the entrance kiosk. For directions and details, see the park website.
• The breathtaking Sonoma Coast Sonoma Coast State Beach is 19 miles of rugged, beautiful coastline with beaches, bluffs and astounding views. Highlights near our home include the Jenner Visitor Center, Goat Rock, Shell Beach and the Red Hill/Pomo Canyon trails, Salmon Creek Beach and Bodega Head. There are beaches and parking areas way too numerous to mention, including several dog-friendly beaches, and a drive from Bodega to Jenner will have you stopping at every opportunity to take in the fantastic scenery.
• Russian River Canoe/Kayak trips The Russian is extremely mellow at this time of year. Contrast that with the flood we had in January! We have one canoe in the water with 2 life jackets and paddles and anyone is welcome to borrow it. For larger groups or kayaks, there are several options available, some with pickup service to take you back to your car. Just up river in downtown Monte Rio, you can rent canoes and kayaks (without pickups) at the Monte Rio Beach. No pickup service means you have to paddle out and back from the beach here, but not to worry the current isn't terribly strong at any point, you're more likely to be fighting an afternoon seabreeze. For the more adventurous, there are canoe and kayak rentals in Forestville at Burke's Canoe Rentals, in Guerneville at Johnson's Beach, and in Duncan's Mills at Russian River Kayak rentals. Please see their websites for details.

More To Come!

Posted by Peter at 9:30 AM | Permalink

The wedding ceremony and reception are being held at the home and gardens of our friend Nigel Hall. 8717 Egg Farm Road, Kenwood, CA 95452.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area, here's a Yahoo map that you can expand or use to get directions. Kenwood is about half way between the towns of Sonoma and Santa Rosa on CA Highway 12. The address numbers on Egg Farm Road are the same as on Hwy 12, so its easy to find.

There's parking a-plenty in the field behind the house, just follow the road (and the signs) to the right around the house and you'll find it.

Posted by Peter at 10:48 AM | Permalink

So, after printing the invitations, I made the mistake of consulting Emily Post on invitation etiquette. I've addressed a couple of the invitations to individuals, hoping and assuming that they will bring their spouse, significant other, etc. Kids too are welcome.

Apparently, Ms. Post believes that everyone who is invited should be addressed on the envelope. I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone who isn't listed in the address, and make sure that all those loved ones that were left out accidentally know that they are more than welcome at our celebration! D'oh!

Posted by Peter at 1:19 PM | Permalink

We are really looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family in August!
The setting will be an outdoor garden wedding - with the ceremony and reception all in one locale. It will be casual, but feel free to get dressy if you like. Most of the festivities will be on a lawn, so ladies may not want to wear stilletos! (But Nigel might appreciate having his lawn aerated).

Expect the weather to be hot and sunny in Kenwood. But, as the ceremony is at 4pm, it should cool down a bit for the evening.

Posted by Emma at 8:37 PM | Permalink